Category Archives: NewVIc

London’s engines of mobility

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

If we use the proportion of students eligible for free school meals (FSM) progressing to university as a measure of social mobility, it’s clear that the ‘London effect’ is very marked. London’s FSM progression rate in 2012 was 58% compared to … Continue reading →

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NewVIc breaks all its university progression records.

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) has always had high rates of university progression, both in terms of numbers and the proportion of leavers progressing. These have consistently been well above the national and London averages. We are also very proud … Continue reading →

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Sharing the secrets of success

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

This is what I say to all new students at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) after welcoming them on their first day: Now you’ve enrolled and you’re about to start your first year as a sixth form student here, what … Continue reading →

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A parent’s guide to sixth form enrolment

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Welcome to enrolment. As parents or guardians your role is vital. You can help your daughter or son to understand their options and you know them better than anyone so your insights can be really useful. So how can you … Continue reading →

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Enrolment: where aspiration meets reality

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

It’s a crazy way to start the year; enrolling all our students over a few days in late August before we can start teaching them. Enrolment is a major cross-college team effort which requires every member of staff to do something different … Continue reading →

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Russell group numbers soar in Newham

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

This year, more students than ever before are progressing from Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) to Russell group universities. Once again the college has the highest number of Russell group progressors of any Newham sixth form. 90 NewVIc students have … Continue reading →

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Young poets ‘write the wrong’

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Brave new words from young writers at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) Poetry is not a luxury, something we only turn to when more important things have been seen to. Poetry is essential. We need to listen to it, read … Continue reading →

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Young people and the election

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Are young people turned off politics? Will they vote? Do they care who wins the election? Are all parties the same? Are the candidates just hacks mindlessly parroting their parties’ approved slogans? This week’s general election hustings at Newham sixth … Continue reading →

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Is social mobility enough?

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Analysing the data in the recently published Sutton Trust Social Mobility Index* has made me reflect a bit on ‘social mobility’ as a goal of public policy. My conclusion: it’s a worthy but inadequate response to the many injustices and … Continue reading →

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From free school meals to university

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

The proportion of key stage 5 (KS5) advanced students eligible for free school meals (FSM) progressing to university is seen as a measure of social mobility. It’s clearly a statistic of interest, even if the data raise more questions than … Continue reading →

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Social Mobility measure ignores 62% of students

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

There seems to be a major flaw in the Sutton Trust Social Mobility measure which means that the university progression of 62% of disadvantaged advanced sixth formers studying in colleges has been excluded. The data is therefore only based on … Continue reading →

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Many colleges in one

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

A science college, an engineering technical college, a media technical college, a music industry college and several super-selective A-level providers offering a narrow range of subjects to high-achieving students. These are just some of the new sixth forms which have … Continue reading →

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Valuing student research

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

The continuing growth of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in England’s sixth forms is a sign that students, teachers, universities and employers value what it offers. However, less than 10% of advanced level sixth formers have the opportunity to achieve … Continue reading →

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Your college interview

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

How should you approach your sixth form college interview and get the most from the experience? Following my previous posts How to choose a sixth form and How to make a strong college application, here is some advice about getting … Continue reading →

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Re-imagining the university

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

A celebration of Birkbeck’s latest innovation in higher education in London. Anish Kapoor’s amazing Orbit here in East London’s Olympic quarter calls to mind previous sculptural structures built on a monumental scale. Together with Gustave Eiffel’s tower in Paris and … Continue reading →

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